Red Sox outfielder Cespedes rumored to be on trade market

The Boston Red Sox are interested in shopping outfielder Yoenis Cespedes this off-season, according to Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo. Boston is supposedly interested in trading Cespedes because he hasn’t appeared interested in negotiating a multi-year contract extension.

Cespedes would be an attractive trade target for any team seeking outfield help. The outfielder has an explosive arm, and was one of the best hitters in the game over the last couple of season, but has allegedly resisted working on improving his defense throughout his career. Boston is also looking at playing some of its young guys, and Cespedes is blocking their promotion.

Word is spreading that the Red Sox could make Cespedes available. He will earn $10.2 million in the final year of his deal. Cespedes said late in the season that he wasn’t sure whether he’d engage in long-term talks with the Red Sox. Couple that with his desire not to play right field or work on his defense, and that could make him a trade candidate as the Red Sox try to pare their outfield depth and possibly make room for Mookie Betts or add a lefthanded hitter.” -Cafardo, Boston Globe

If Cespedes is traded, he should provide an immediate offensive boost to the team that acquires him in a trade.

These rumors will put a lot of intrigue and interest into the MLB off-season, especially since this free agent class is extremely weak. Every team is going to inquire about an outfielder that hit .260/.301/.450 and posted a 109 wRC+ in two (completely different) ball parks. Any trade of Cespedes would end up bringing a nice prospect hall back to the Red Sox, and continue to build the franchise’s farm system.

If the Red Sox are interested in trading Cespedes, it makes a ton of sense for them to do so.

But any team that pursues Cespedes need realize he would be a one year rental, would cost a more prospects than he should, and supposedly hasn’t been interested in working on his defense. He has the potential to be an amazing, and season altering, acquisition; but there are several red flags around the young outfielder.

One such red flag is this;

“I kind of chuckle a little bit at some of the reports that are out there about Yoenis, and we’re fortunate that he’s on our club and very much looking forward to him being part of our offense going forward,” Farrell said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio.” –Sam Galanis, NESN